Chapter 2 - THE WITNESS
In the background near the front door, Sarah stood frozen.
Her blue maid uniform looked faded against the grand mahogany doorframe.
A fresh stack of folded blue bath towels rested in her hands.
Sarah’s eyes darted nervously between the red mark on Clara’s cheek and the older woman’s raised fist.
Her hands began to shake violently.
The stack of towels slipped from her grip, tumbling onto the polished floorboards with a soft, muffled thud.
Sarah pressed both hands over her mouth, a stifled sob escaping her throat.
"Clean that up!" Eleanor barked without even turning her head.
Clara raised her arms, shielding her face and her belly in a single protective motion.
"Please, Eleanor," Clara whispered, her voice trembling. "He's just a child."
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Behind the hallway archway, a tiny shadow shifted.
Four-year-old Leo peered out from around the corner, his small fingers clutching his blue t-shirt.
